Padma Bhushan Ajith Kumar urges peace after Pahalgam terror attack, pays tribute to Indian armed forces

Ajith Kumar, Padma Bhushan recipient, calls for unity after Pahalgam terror attack, honoring armed forces and promoting peace.

Ajith Kumar, recently honoured with the Padma Bhushan, has spoken out on the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, urging Indians to rise above divisions and foster unity. The actor received India’s third-highest civilian award on April 28, 2025, from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Delhi, accompanied by his wife Shalini and their children.

In a conversation with ANI after the event, Ajith expressed deep grief over the April 22 attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists in Baisaran Valley, Kashmir. “My heart goes out to all the families, and I hope and pray that such things don’t happen,” he said. “Let’s just keep our fingers crossed and pray that somewhere over a period of time, we all learn to empathise with one another and then keep all our differences aside and live as a peaceful society.”

Ajith also paid tribute to India’s armed forces, recognising their sacrifices and service. “I met a lot of people from the armed forces today (Monday). I want to let them all know that we salute them for their sacrifices. They work very hard so that we are able to sleep peacefully,” he said, adding that in honour of their efforts, citizens must “learn to respect each other and respect every religion, every caste” and work towards a more unified India.

Ajith was last seen in Good Bad Ugly, which performed strongly at the box office. The film featured an ensemble cast including Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Jackie Shroff, Sunil, and Yogi Babu.